Screenwriting is not only about writing good scripts that have a compact storyline, is well researched and is the perfect material for a good film. Screenwriting is also about marketing the script and building a network of people who are useful. Marketing a script can be done with the help of pitching, but individual visits to producers can be tiring. Hence, film festivals, and more importantly screenwriting festivals are important for the career of a screenwriter.

Such festivals can be a great learning avenue for a newcomer, an eye opener in real sense. It is not only about meeting potential investors and discussing scripts but getting to know the industry and its needs a lot well. This report discusses the advantages of visiting a festival in the career of a screenwriter.

1.To know what genres and stories filmmakers prefer currently: It is a great opportunity to measure the industry. There would be scores of directors and producers present in the festival, all discussing their current or future projects. A particular trend could be noticed if observed carefully. The writer should observe the trend and try to write scripts that go along with the trend.

2.Meeting filmmakers, agents and other writers: This is perhaps the main purpose of a film festival. Interacting with people who could buy the scripts would give the writer an honest idea about his creation. It is extremely beneficial to receive feedback and suggestions from parties concerned, and it should be implemented in the scripts.

3.Attending workshops and seminars: This is an added bonus of attending film festivals. Seminars, workshops and conferences are immensely beneficial, especially for the budding writers, as a lot of ideas come up during the meet. Just listening to the conferences would result to nothing, one has to implement them and improve their writing. It is not only experts, from whom something can be learnt; the peers might also provide some valuable advice or feedback.

4.Film festivals have always served as a great motivation for inspired writers. The complete industry, along with the glamour is truly motivating for everyone, especially for the ones who want to create a mark in the industry.

Thus it is important to visit such festivals, make full use of it, make a network of peers and seniors from whom assistance can be expected and a few contacts with filmmakers must also be made. Film festivals have often been the launching point of many a screenwriter, so it is a tried and tested avenue, and quite a successful one too.